Dog Lovers Manual

All dogs can swim, although some are much better at it than others. This comes down to their body shape, stamina and overall physical ability. How much they enjoy it is another matter and depends on their confidence in the water, although this can be bolstered by gradual acclimatization.

The risks for canine swimmers are the same as for humans: deep, cold water, fast-flowing currents and high banks that cannot be climbed easily all pose a danger.